Moti Dungri Ganesh Temple, Jaipur

Nestled at the base of the Moti Dungri Hill - a hillock said to resemble a pearl - this temple is the spiritual heartbeat of Jaipur. Locals consider it almost a daily ritual to stop by and seek Lord Ganesha's blessings before any new beginning, whether it's buying a vehicle, starting a business, or preparing for a wedding. The l Ganesha deity here is believed to be several centuries old, depicted in a rare sitting posture with its trunk turned to the right, which is considered highly auspicious. The temple stays bustling with devotees throughout the year.

The temple was built in 1761 under the supervision of Seth Jai Ram Paliwal. According to local legend, Maharaja Madho Singh I received the ancient Ganesha vigrah from the Maharaja of Mewar and had it transported to Jaipur by bullock cart. It was decided that the temple would be built wherever the cart came to a stop - and the wheels halted right at the foot of Moti Dungri Hill, making it the chosen site for this sacred shrine.